Chapter 49 - The Ghost Train’s True Rules
«This place...»
The moment they stepped into the dungeon,
the first thing the group noticed was that the interior looked completely different from the exterior.
«It feels more like the cargo hold of a steam locomotive than a subway car.»
Dust-covered crates.
Faded windows.
Surrounded by the musty air and thick dust, Jhin scanned the area and swallowed dryly.
But honestly — this wasn’t that surprising.
’It’s a D-rank dungeon after all.’
Dungeons were always different inside compared to the outside.
Just like how the E-rank dungeon "Ruined School" had looked like a high school from the outside —
but inside, it had been an entire university district.
This was the same.
Even though the dungeon was based on a "subway train,"
its interior had morphed into a "steam locomotive."
For a D-rank dungeon, the expanded scale wasn’t odd at all.
But what really caught Jhin’s attention—
was the scenery rolling past outside the window.
It kept retreating endlessly behind them.
’This isn’t underground.’
A sun rising over barren plains.
A vast landscape, like something out of a classic Western movie, stretched endlessly.
And the train — just like the dungeon’s name — kept running forward.
[You have entered the D-rank dungeon ’Running Ghost Train.’]
[Current Area: F Section.]
[Ticket inspection will begin shortly.]
[Without a boarding ticket, you will be marked by the Station Staff.]
Just as they finished reading the messages—
a strange groaning sound reached them.
Turning their heads—There they were.
Tiny goblins with half-formed horns, staring at them with gleaming eyes.
«Uuu!!»
Jhin immediately recognized what they were.
’Baby Goblins.’
Before they became the one-horned "Smaug" debt collectors —
these monsters were their childhood forms.
They were about the size of watermelons, clustered together almost cutely.
But their cuteness was only surface deep.
Their power could not be underestimated.
’It’s a D-rank dungeon, after all.’
This was different from dungeons like the "Ruined School" or the "Garden of Death."
Even these seemingly harmless baby goblins — were predators with tiger-like fangs.
Each one at least above level 80.
And that wasn’t the worst part.
’This isn’t a normal dungeon either.’
It wasn’t just because goblins appeared.
This dungeon was a "Theme Dungeon" —
meaning, the moment you entered, special "quests" were automatically assigned.
Clearing it meant understanding and breaking its unique rules.
’Just like the Trial nexus.’
The first quest the system had given them—was probably to obtain a boarding ticket.
And it wasn’t hard to guess where those tickets would come from.
«Uuuuuuu!!»
Without any warning, the baby goblins charged.
Jhin clenched his fists.
They looked cute — but he knew all too well about their cruelty.
There was no reason to hold back.
’These little monsters... they love killing humans, don’t they?’
Goblins were known for their sadistic pleasure —
playing with human souls like toys.
Look at their grinning mouths, like little Chuckies charging forward.
No doubt about it.
They were monsters.
KWAANG!
Without mercy, Jhin struck the oncoming baby goblin.
Their only attack pattern seemed to be body slams —
predictable, straightforward.
It wasn’t difficult to deal with them.
The goblin crashed backward with the sound of an explosion.
’I can handle this.’
Continuing to grapple with the brutish, reckless monsters—
Jhin quickly secured what he needed.
[You have obtained a Boarding Ticket.]
Nearby, Millie fired consecutive gunshots, and Caleb, working with Luke, managed to achieve the same.
Each of them confirmed the same message.
Obtaining a boarding ticket —
was proof that they had cleared the dungeon’s first theme quest.
However—
Jhin looked back at the group and said:
«Throw away your tickets.»
«Huh?»
«We don’t have the luxury to clear this by the book.
If we move car-by-car from the rear like this — we’ll never catch up.»
Playing it safe might guarantee survival —but it would take too long.
And right now — with the children’s souls already taken —
time was the one thing they didn’t have.
At his words, Caleb looked conflicted.
«...But it says we’ll be targeted by the Station Staff.»
«Exactly. That’s why we’re throwing them away.»
Without a shred of hesitation, Jhin tossed his ticket to Kimmy as food.
Millie followed suit, ripping hers apart.
Seeing this, Caleb and Luke couldn’t exactly keep clutching their own tickets.
Besides—
They needed Jhin and Millie’s help to survive this dungeon.
They couldn’t oppose them.
Then— Luke noticed something strange.
«...Hey.
Is it just me, or are those things acting weird?»
The baby goblins, who had charged so furiously before —
were now huddled in a corner, nervously grinding their teeth.
They showed no more intention to attack.
Jhin immediately realized why.
«...Everyone, get ready.»
[Quest failed.]
[Player ’Jhin’ has been marked by the Station Staff.]
Everyone read the similar system messages almost simultaneously.
Their faces paled.
And then—
With a mechanical screech,
the sealed door to the next carriage opened.
A massive goblin appeared.
«Uuuu!!»
As if begging for revenge,
the baby goblins rushed toward the giant goblin all at once.
In response,
the giant goblin stomped forward with heavy steps.
His sheer size cast a looming shadow over the carriage.
The massive goblin —
so big that just looking at him stirred up a primal fear.
The party let out hollow chuckles.
«Ah, so that’s why...»
Jhin, looking faintly exasperated, stepped forward.
There was not the slightest trace of fear on his face.
The giant goblin pounded his chest like a drum,
letting out a thunderous voice.
It asked:
«...Human. Boarding ticket?»
«Don’t have one.»
«Then you are guilty of boarding without permissi─»
KWAANG!
Before the sentence could even finish— Jhin’s fist slammed into the goblin’s face.
The goblin tumbled across the floor, wide-eyed,
not even understanding what had just happened.
And when it realized — realized it had been hit by a human —
its eyes burned with rage.
Snarling, it drew the club hanging at its waist.
«How dare a mere human—!»
KWAANG!
But once again— the goblin couldn’t even react.
Another strike.
Jhin’s knuckles tingled pleasantly with the impact.
He grinned and said:
«So you’re the Station Staff, huh?»